CLRC Writing Cent er

*Understanding and Using English Grammar, Betty Schrampfer Azar, Longman, 3

rd
Edition, 2000. Available in the Writing Center.


COMMON ERROR TYPES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS


Group A: These first five errors usually have a BIG IMPACT ON A READER and are RULE BASED. If these occur
repeatedly, it makes sense to address them first and to CONSULT RESOURCES as needed. Tutors will find
SCAFFOLDING a useful technique here. (adapted from Editing Line byline by Cynthia Linville)

Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Occur when the subject does not agree with the verb in person or number.
Explained in more detail in Azar,* chapter 6.
Example: He walk every morning.
Correction: He walks every morning.
Another Example: Every teenager knows how to choose clothes that flatters her.

Verb Tense Errors
Occur when an incorrect time marker is used.
Explained in more detail in Azar,* chapter 1 (summary on page 4).
Example: I was working on my paper since 6:00 am.
Correction: I have been working on my paper since 6:00 am.
Another Example: Even though this is my first day on the job, I have already found out
that there were some difficult people here.

Verb Form Errors
Occur when a verb is incorrectly formed.
Explained in more detail in Azar,* chapter 1 (summary on page 4).
Example: I will driven to the airport next week.
Correction: I will drive to the airport next week.
Another Example: I was cook dinner last night when you called.

Singular/Plural Noun Ending Errors
Often occur when there is confusion about which nouns are countable and which arent.
Explained in more detail in Azar,* chapter 7.
Example: I have turned in all my homeworks this week.
Correction: I have turned in all my homework this week.
Another Example: I set up six more desk for the afternoon class.

Word Form Errors
Occur when the wrong part of speech is chosen.
Explained in more detail on our Word Form Handout.
Example: Im happy to live in a democracy country.
Correction: Im happy to live in a democratic country.
Another Example: I feel very confusing this morning.
Group B: These next two errors are LESS SCAFFOLD-ABLE than the previous five, but they may have LARGE
IMPACT ON READABILITY. Because these errors may or may not be rule-based, depending on the error, the
tutor MAY NEED TO ACT AS THE NATIVE SPEAKER RESOURCE to help resolve the issue.

Sentence Structure Errors
Refer to a broad range of errors that occur for a variety of reasons: a word (often a to be verb)
is left out; an extra word (often a duplicate subject) is added; word order is incorrect; or clauses
that dont belong together are punctuated as one sentence.
Note that sentence structure errors often contain other types of errors within them.
Sentence structure error may be repeated or may vary greatly.
Asking intended meaning may be the best strategy for this error.

Word Choice Errors
Refers to a broad range of errors, from completely incorrect word use, to connotation being off,
to substitution of antiquated forms for more common ones, to using words together that do
not typically appear with each other.
For meaning and basic grammatical/usage information, consult a learners dictionary in the
Writing Center or online: wordsymth.com or learnersdictionary.com.
For information about which words are typically used together in English, consult the
collocation dictionary in the Writing Center or one online: ozdic.com


Group C: Issues that may be frequent, and that are RULE-BASED, but that have LESS IMPACT ON A READER.
These do not tend to interfere with meaning, but rather with the impression of fluency. If these errors are
repeated, RESOURCES and SCAFFOLDING should help students build the necessary skills.

Articles
See Writing Center handout.

Prepositions of Location, Time or Direction
See Writing Center handout.

Phrasal Verbs
See Writing Center handout for a collection of common phrasal verbs and their meanings.


Group D: Errors that do not appear on this handout are UNLIKELY TO BE RULE-BASED OR TO MAKE A STRONG
IMPACT ON A READER. These may include the occasional idiom, cultural references, more complicated lexical
questions, and exceptions to rules. For this type of issue, unless they have specialized ELL training or access to
appropriate resources, tutors should feel free to act as the NATIVE SPEAKER RESOURCE.